Crime
Ex-NRA Director Settles Fraud Charges, Agrees to Testify in AG Trial
Clear Facts
- Joshua Powell, ex-NRA operations director, has settled civil fraud and abuse charges with the New York Attorney General’s office.
- Powell admitted to breaching his duties to the NRA, agreed to a $100,000 restitution payment, and is permanently barred from holding officer positions in any nonprofit organization.
- As part of his settlement, Powell will testify against former NRA executive vice president Wayne LaPierre and other involved parties at an upcoming trial.
Joshua Powell, a former operations director for the National Rifle Association (NRA), has reached a settlement in civil fraud and abuse charges, as reported by ABC News. This development comes on the heels of the NRA’s executive vice president, Wayne LaPierre, announcing his resignation due to health reasons, just before a critical trial.
As part of the settlement, Powell admitted to breaching his duties of care, loyalty, and obedience to the NRA. He agreed to make a restitution payment of $100,000 and is now permanently prohibited from holding officer positions in any nonprofit organization. Furthermore, Powell has pledged to testify against LaPierre and other parties involved in the upcoming trial.
Powell’s tenure at the NRA, which spanned from 2016 to January 2020, concluded with the acknowledgment of serious misconduct. According to the settlement, Powell mismanaged the organization’s charitable assets, converting them for personal use and the benefit of his family. This was in violation of his fiduciary responsibilities, as noted by ABC News.
New York Attorney General Letitia James commented on the situation, stating, “Joshua Powell’s admission of wrongdoing and Wayne LaPierre’s resignation confirm what we have alleged for years: the NRA and its senior leaders are financially corrupt.”
The legal scrutiny of the NRA has increased following its unsuccessful attempt to file for bankruptcy in 2021. The attempt was rejected by a federal judge due to a lack of good faith. In her lawsuit, Attorney General James is seeking the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee the NRA’s financial activities.
Clear Thoughts (op-ed)
The recent development in the case against the National Rifle Association (NRA) is a stark reminder of the political weaponization of the law. Joshua Powell, an ex-NRA executive, admitted guilt in a fraud case and agreed to testify against Wayne LaPierre and others, fueling the fire of the New York Attorney General’s relentless pursuit.
What should be a case about financial mismanagement has been turned into a political spectacle, an attempt to undermine an organization that stands as a bulwark against the erosion of our Second Amendment rights.
Powell’s misconduct, while serious, is being used as a cudgel to attack the NRA as a whole. The aim is clear – to delegitimize an organization that champions the rights of law-abiding gun owners.
This case is less about corruption and more about an ideological war on an institution that dares to stand against the prevailing liberal doctrine. It’s a classic case of the ends justifying the means, a dangerous precedent to set in our justice system.
Let us know what you think, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
Jeremy
January 17, 2024 at 8:38 pm
Hey, Letitia James, what was that old saying about the pot and the kettle?
James Cooke
January 20, 2024 at 3:09 pm
A bad apple dosen’t make the barrel use;ess. Clean out the bad apples and keep using the barrel…
Vincent
January 25, 2024 at 12:55 pm
Letitia James represents, EVERYTHING ABOUT THE EVIL AND CORRUPT DEEP STATE, at work, to undermine our 2nd Amendment Freedom!
SIGNED: WE, THE PEOPLE.
ALL THOSE LIBERAL, CORRUPT, FAKE LIBERAL MINIONS, THAT CONTINUE TO CONSPIRE TO DO AWAY WITH OUR US CONSTITUTION, MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, TRIED, AND SENT TO JAIL, WHEN THE TIME COMES!
Ger
January 23, 2024 at 6:54 am
If LaPierre was using my Lifer dues for his own use, I want to know. Unfortunately, that sort of thing happens sometimes in any large organization. But he’s not me or any other member of the NRA. His alleged corruption makes me a victim, not an accomplice. He’s already gone, so we as an organization have already moved on. Let him pay if he did anything , the rest of us will be just fine without him.
mountainman
January 23, 2024 at 7:08 am
If it wasn’t for politics and conservatives Leticia James have anything to do. As one can see she hasn’t gone after the corrupt mayor or anything that has a dem. associated with their name. She even ran her campaign on going after Donald Trump which apparently includes anybody (republican) that is not in agreement with the current administration.
Leftshot
January 23, 2024 at 8:39 am
This smells of corrupt lawfare. Why can’t we get an explanation of EXACTLY what this director supposedly did? Much less—where is the evidence? Some will say, but he plead guilty? That means nothing when it is a plea deal with the government who has shown to be corrupt, and has unlimited resources to ruin an individual.
The DOJ has been doing this to people they politically oppose for at least 20 years.
Old man
January 23, 2024 at 11:07 am
The government has been destroying people’s lives for at least 70 years. It was the IRS that destroyed people’s lives now it’s the DOJ. Corruption needs to be cut out of government. They seem to forget that they work for the people, not the other way around,
1PatriotForever
January 23, 2024 at 8:51 am
So lemme see: A person who is proven to be a liar, a cheat and a tool is going to be used by the DOJ? Well there’s a shocker
Don Douris
January 23, 2024 at 9:08 am
As a Benefactor member I feel it is important to address this issue with membership if someone is guilty of theft or mismanagement find out and tell us soon
Jeff Frederich
January 23, 2024 at 9:53 am
Colonel Oliver North brought up the misuse of funds by LaPierre after he was appointed President. He said if LaPierre didn’t resign, he’d make the corruption public. Instead of coming clean and/or resigning, LaPierre got rid of Colonel North. I trust North more than LaPierre. He had no reason to lie, and was quite content with his short-lived position at the NRA. I’m a Patriot Life member, but refused to upgrade until LaPierre was out. Maybe now I’ll become a Benefactor.
William Bailey
January 24, 2024 at 12:34 am
Every company or organization needs to review their operations inside and out through their written policies and procedures. This should be done on a consistent bases. The program should have a system provided for any member/employee to be able to report any suspicious activity without any repercussions. It is wrong for prosecutors to turn a criminal case and turn it into a political stunt. New York is doing the same with the NRA as they are doing to Trump.
Old wolf
February 10, 2024 at 5:33 pm
Even after all the evidence the Communist doj still try to go after them that have the proof. The corruption never stops for the far left Communist democrat party